Introduction
Puk, from British or Scandanavian mythology, keeping a pile of treasure. © Donna Quinn.
Puk is a dragon of Germanic folklore, appearing in the legends of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany. [2]
A Puk is considered a domestic or household dragon [1] that protects domestic animals. [3] Puks are generally not malevolent in nature; the house in which they dwell becomes their home. [2] They answer to the owner of the house as a master. [4] A family with a Puk living in its home has many benefits, for a Puk brings good fortune. [4] However, the benefit of Puks stop with their owners, for they are tricksters by nature and will steal treasure for hoarding at the detriment of neighbors. [1]
The Puk in Lithuania are sometimes called Kaukas and are considered the patrons of blacksmiths. [3] Puks are also guardians of treasure hoards. [4]
A Dragon of Many Names
The name Puk is likely of German origin (i.e. Puck). [2] Regional names for the creature include the following:
- Slavic - Krukis [3]
- Germany - Puk, Puks, Puck [1]
- Latvia - Pukis [1]
- Lithuania - Pukys, Kaukas, [1] Kaukas [4]
- Estonia - Pukje, Pisuhand, Tulihand, Puuk [1]
Physical Description
Puk is a serpentine-bodied, four-footed dragon approximately two feet (61 cm) in length, sometimes described as having wings. [1] Puk flies through the sky as a dragon with a fiery tail. [4] It is also described as a sneaky, hoarding dragon. [2]
Like many trickster spirits, a Puk can manifest itself in different forms. In some cases, it can transform into a deformed goblin [4] or a huge cat. [1]
Footnotes
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
